2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt
What’s faster than a Speeding Bullitt? Able to turn corners at a single turn, and who’s disguised as our old friend seen in the movie! The answer is the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt!
The Bullitt Mustang succeeds in getting my adrenalin flowing and is truly a unique set of wheels.
The Bullitt bare bones muscle machine was designed by the Ford style team, which stripped all chrome and badging from the GT’s exterior and deleted the spoiler. They added a satin aluminum grill surrounding a Bullitt badge on the trunk lid and dark grey Bullitt “Torq Thrust” wheels.
The 2008 Bullitt comes in either the standard Highland Green, or Satin Black. My test Bullitt was Highland Green. This Mustang is reminiscent of the car used in 1968 movie car and is as close to the original as allowed by today’s standards. (Though the true fastback styling cannot be captured with the current Mustang styling and platform).
While test-driving the Bullitt around town, I got many a “thumbs-up” by motorists and pedestrians alike. Sitting behind the wheel sent me into a daydream where I was Lieutenant Frank Bullitt (famously played by Steve McQueen) driving down the road. As I pulled to a dead stop at a stoplight I imagined the Bullitt lying in wait, ready to lay rubber against any adversary– whether it be a Camaro or a Charger.
The seats were highly bolstered and supremely comfortable using the same seating from the GT500. The Bullitt badge is used on the steering wheel. The dash is trimmed with bare bones aluminum and the seats were Charcoal leather. The feel of the interior was plain, no frills, to emphasize the brute force and vehicle of the car.
The Bullitt had a Shaker 500 stereo system, which seemed a bit weak in performance by today’s standards. The center consol used ambient lighting that lit up in a multitude of colors.
The mellow rumble sound made by the 315bhp (15bhp more than stock) 4.6-liter V8 makes you feel like you have major power to beat out all of your adversaries. Hit the pedal to the metal and this car erupts. There is no question that this is a vehicle to be reckoned with. Other motorists will take notice. (Though, hopefully not the police).
The Bullitt’s transmission is mated to a 3:73 shortened rear axle ratio, laying rubber and propelling it to 60mph in five seconds flat.
The Bullitt has machined aluminum pedals and a machined aluminum shifter knob connected to a close-ratio, short-shift five-speed which adds to the driving experience.
Ford incorporated many of the Shelby GT’s suspension components to add to the Bullitt’s handling in tight turns.
The Bullitt’s ride is stiff and even a bit bouncy, mimicking the original 1968 movie car. My final note is that the brakes are adequate!
To sum it up the Mustang GT Bullitt is a real head-turner, coming as close to the original as the current body style allows. Its performance also matches closely the original personality of that famous movie car!